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Paramedic kicked as he treated man in West Bromwich

A man who kicked a paramedic who was trying to give him medical assistance in a Black Country street has avoided an immediate stint behind bars.

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Aston Hamilton lashed out in Hope Street, West Bromwich, booting him in the shoulder as he tried to perform a pain stimuli test to check consciousness levels. At Sandwell Magistrates Court last week, Hamilton, 59, was jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months after being found guilty of assault by beating. West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust has welcomed the sentence.

They said assaults against ambulance staff are 'completely unacceptable'.

A medical team had arrived at the scene on June 10 in response to a report an unconscious man was lying in the street.

When paramedics arrived they found Hamilton and began to administer first aid. On treating him they found he was breathing normally and not in any danger.

But when a paramedic attempted to carry out a pain stimuli test by squeezing Hamilton's finger, the defendant shouted at him and kicked out.

One of the blows hit the victim's shoulder, resulting in him requiring medical treatment. Police were alerted and Hamilton was arrested at the scene. As part of his conviction Hamilton, from Lozells, Birmingham, was ordered to pay £150 compensation, £350 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Bindi Athwal, District Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service said: "Medics in this area provide an invaluable service to our local community and they should be free to work without fear of being physically or verbally assaulted.

"Any attack on them while they perform their duties will not be tolerated in any circumstances and those who commit such crimes will be arrested and robustly prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service."

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman Jamie Arrowsmith said: "The trust welcomes the sentence passed on this occasion. It is completely unacceptable that ambulance staff, responding to help people who have serious medical conditions or injuries, should have to face violence and verbal abuse.

"The trust has a zero tolerance policy in place and works extremely hard to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone who attacks our staff."

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